Eavesdropping avoidance and sound propagation: the acoustic structure of soft song

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2017
Authors:Vargas-Castro, Sandoval, Searcy
Journal:Animal Behaviour
Volume:134
Pagination:113 - 121
Date Published:Jan-12-2017
ISSN:00033472
Keywords:communication range, signal design, song mode, sound degradation, sound transmission, Turdus, whispered communication
Abstract:

Many species use low-amplitude (soft) song during close range interactions with conspecifics, such as in aggressive encounters or courtship displays. It has been suggested that soft song is adapted to limit eavesdropping by conspecifics or predators through reduced signal transmission range. If so, other structural features of soft song, besides amplitude, should be adapted to reduce transmission. The soft songs of white-throated thrushes, Turdus assimilis, have properties expected to lower transmission, such as higher frequency and broader bandwidth relative to broadcast songs. We compared the transmission properties of broadcast and soft syllables using a sound propagation field experiment. When played at the same amplitude as broadcast song, soft song showed greater excess attenuation and blur ratios and lower signal-to-noise ratios. Lowering the frequency of soft syllables recovered similar transmission properties as those of broadcast syllables. Further analysis of spectral traits showed that excess attenuation values were mainly affected by minimum frequency and peak frequency, while blur ratio variation was predominantly affected by bandwidth, and signal-to-noise ratios were predicted by bandwidth and peak frequency. Additionally, soft song had more frequency overlap with background noise than broadcast song. These results support the eavesdropping hypothesis: aspects of the acoustic structure of soft signals in addition to low amplitude seem to have been shaped by selection to reduce transmission and avoid eavesdroppers.

URL:http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0003347217303329
DOI:10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.10.008
Short Title:Animal Behaviour
BioAcoustica ID: 
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith